Shemini in a Nutshell

Leviticus 9:1–11:47

On the eighth day, following the seven days of their inauguration, Aaron and his sons begin to officiate as kohanim (priests); a fire issues forth from G‑d to consume the offerings on the altar, and the divine presence comes to dwell in the Sanctuary.

Aaron’s two elder sons, Nadav and Avihu, offer a “strange fire before G‑d, which He commanded them not” and die before G‑d. Aaron is silent in face of his tragedy. Moses and Aaron subsequently disagree as to a point of law regarding the offerings, but Moses concedes to Aaron that Aaron is in the right.

G‑d commands the kosher laws, identifying the animal species permissible and forbidden for consumption. Land animals may be eaten only if they have split hooves and also chew their cud; fish must have fins and scales; a list of non-kosher birds is given, and a list of kosher insects (four types of locusts).

Also in Shemini are some of the laws of ritual purity, including the purifying power of the mikvah (a pool of water meeting specified qualifications) and the wellspring. Thus the people of Israel are enjoined to “differentiate between the impure and the pure.”

This is my first time on this site. The nutshell parshah on Shimini was informative enough to wet my research appetite especially since I was born on the 8th of April or in the month of Nisan. This has been a great discovery for me today! Thanks..

AshaSouthern CA

April 5, 2013

I'm going to pray

I brought my Tallit and tefillin to the hospital. Please pray for my Recovery and Tikkun Olam for everyone

Daniel FrankNorth York General Hospital

April 19, 2012

@ confused

every week we have a new portion...last weeks due to Pesach we "jumped" one week without going forward...

Mr. Pedro Marin-Mirt

April 18, 2012

confused

This year it was different due to pesach being over 2 Shabbos'. The first Shabbos and the previous shabbos, the last day of Pesach have their own Torah readings and haftorah. So in terms of parsha sequence. Shemini streches over the 3 weeks. Readings done on Monday and Thursday did come from Shemini.

Please other readers, correct me on some of the detail if I have it wrong. Thank you.

Rob RubinLincoln, MA

April 17, 2012

@Mrs. Marcellina Andrews

@Mrs. Marcellina Andrews

I think ... that parshat tzav we read march 31 st this year, then we had Passover then April 21st we read parshat shemini

Idan LevinLondon , UK

April 17, 2012

Question about this law

Also in Shemini are some of the laws of ritual purity, including the purifying power of the mikvah (a pool of water meeting specified qualifications) and the wellspring. Thus the people of Israel are enjoined to “differentiate between the impure and the pure.”

I am very new to this but this is the same parshah segment as last week but the week prior was different. I thought that once the weekly parshah was complete that we moved on to the next segment??? Please help me to understand so I may correctly relay what is going on to my children who are going to be very confused when they get home from school today!

Mrs. Marcellina Andrews

April 2, 2012

Parshah Question

I enjoy reading the Parshah in a Nutshell and also the fully translated parshot. About the Shemini Parshah in a Nutshell I have a question: I am only able to read the translations because my Hebrew is not very good (yet). What is the wellspring referred to on this page? I've read the entire English translation of the parshah, and I am still not sure.